In the EUthyroid2 intervention, measures are being developed and implemented in educational settings across the UK, Germany, Slovenia, the Republic of Cyprus, Bangladesh, and Pakistan to effectively raise awareness of the risks associated with iodine deficiency. Each participating country will employ three measurement points. The intervention will be tailored to the specific contextual characteristics of each implementation site. A process evaluation utilizing a convergent parallel mixed methods design will be conducted, involving surveys of students and teachers, as well as semi-structured interviews.
sufficient language skills to understand the study information, informed consent
none
Single group
Experimental: Intervention group
Other interventionEducational materials: Iodine Feedback Tool, lecture on the topic of iodine and health, booklet, exercises, group assignments and a webpage This is a pre/post intervention with no control group.
Change in awareness
1\. Change in awareness of iodine and iodine deficiency: Difference in iodine awareness is measured by an iodine awareness questionnaire. The scoring ranges from 1 to 22 points with higher scores indicating a better outcome of awareness.
Changes between teaching modalities
Differences in iodine awareness between students taught module A vs module A+B vs module A+C vs module A+B+C. Changes in iodine awareness are assessed by the iodine awareness questionnaire. The scoring ranges from 1 to 22 points with higher scores indicating a better outcome of awareness.
Changes in vocational schools, high- and secondary schools
Differences in iodine awareness between students in vocational schools vs high schools vs secondary schools. Changes in iodine awareness are assessed by the iodine awareness questionnaire. The scoring ranges from 1 to 22 points with higher scores indicating a better outcome of awareness.
Change between age groups and gender distinctions
Differences in iodine awareness between girls vs boys. Changes in iodine awareness are assessed by the iodine awareness questionnaire. Differences in iodine awareness between 13-year-olds vs 14-year-olds vs 15-year-olds vs 16-year-olds vs 17-year-olds. Changes in iodine awareness are assessed by the iodine awareness questionnaire. The scoring ranges from 1 to 22 points with higher scores indicating a better outcome of awareness. Gender and age will be self-reported in a socio-demographic questionnaire.
Change in iodine intake
Dietary iodine intake is assessed through a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ), covering five main categories (cow's milk, fish, eggs, supplements, and salt) and regional components in each country. Each category is scored based on frequency (portions per day, week, or month), and individual sources are analyzed for iodine intake. For example, taking supplements 5-7 times a week or consuming a combination of multiple sources of cow's milk, fish and eggs a week may suggest sufficient intake. Regional differences are also considered, as salt is an iodine source in countries like Pakistan and Bangladesh, but not in the UK or Norway. The number of iodine sources will be compared before and after the intervention within each country, with a higher number of sources indicating a higher iodine intake). The number will differ according to the number of sources in each country.
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